Mar 22, 2019
Today in Atlantic City, N.J, an announcement was made through a group of family, friends and associates of Gary Musich that they will produce several fundraising activities on Gary’s behalf.
Gary is a long-time member of the MeetAC team with deep roots in the convention and meeting industries.
He recently was diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing aggressive treatment.
As part of the ongoing effort to solicit donations to help the Musich family with their high medical expenses, the group announced Fishing for a Cure, which is a concert being held at the Steel Pier in Atlantic… more
Mar 13, 2019
You could say the team members behind MAD Event Management are masters of creativity. Based in Warwick, New York, they’re owners and operators of several large pop culture conventions, from Long Beach Comic Expo to C3: Comic Creator Conference. As such, they’re frequently managing events that involve large numbers of attendees dressed in costume, as well as in-depth education sessions designed to help high-level comics creatives learn and grow in the industry.
Yet for its latest challenge, MAD stepped into a similar, yet different role in a new location: Havana, Cuba. Working with the… more
Mar 04, 2019
See who’s making big strides in their career this month. Have more people news to share? Send it to kogletree@tsnn.com to be included in our next story.
Jim Kelley has joined Fern, a national marketing support and trade show services provider, as vice president of marketing and industry relations. His career has spanned roles with exposition service contractors, convention centers and hotels, and he was most recently with Production Resource Group. In his new position, Kelley will lead strategy for Fern and NexxtShow’s industry events, as well as be part of its sales leadership team.
The… more
Mar 04, 2019
The Society of Independent Show Organizers’ long-time general counsel Henry Schaffer. passed away March 1 after a lengthy disease with Alzheimer’s.
He leaves his wife Barbara, daughters - Emily (Deiwson Nogueira Araujo) Schaffer, Katherine (David Bamman) Schaffer, and four grandchildren Ruby, Sam, Theo, and Leo.
Henry served as SISO Legal Counsel from the 1990’s through his retirement in October of 2014.
“Henry served SISO for most of its existence and was a valued member of its leadership. His knowledge and expertise of our industry was vast,” said David Audrain, SISO executive director… more
Feb 18, 2019
Thirty-year event veteran Danny Phillips has joined media M&A firm Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips as managing director for events.
For 16 years, Phillips was executive vice president of Advanstar (now UBM/Informa), where he was responsible for technology, automotive, licensing, entertainment and healthcare divisions in the U.S., France, Brazil, Germany, the UK and Hong Kong.
Previously, he led European technology media business units for both International Thomson and EMAP from London, and also served as CEO of Argyle Executive Forum, a B2B and media and events company, where he oversaw its… more
Feb 06, 2019
Diversified Communications’ President and CEO Theodore Wirth promoted Mary Larkin to President of Diversified Communications’ U.S. operating division.
“In 2014, we took the unusual step and established a three-person EVP team. Bill Springer, Mike Lodato and Mary Larkin were able to grow the business, but three-person leadership teams are challenging at best and we felt it was the right time to appoint one leader,” Wirth said.
He added, “We greatly appreciate what Bill, Mike and Mary accomplished together and throughout their careers here and look forward to the future of Diversified… more
Feb 04, 2019
By Douglas Emslie, Tarsus Group Managing Director
Firstly a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me for the Boston Marathon. I really appreciate it, and it will go a long way to help the charity achieve its goals this year.
For the first time, I’ve got corporate sponsors and a huge thank you to them - details of my various supporters are below - you have gone above and beyond. Finally, a big thank you to Rachel, Brian and Jeffery for their Herculean efforts on the fundraising - a fantastic team effort.
Training in January hasn’t quite gone to plan. I’ve picked up a hip injury -… more
Jan 29, 2019
To say that last year was a monumental one for Informa Exhibitions, which is led by CEO Charlie McCurdy, would be quite an understatement.
2018 marked the largest mergers and acquisitions deal in history, with Informa buying fellow U.K.-based exhibition company, UBM, for a whopping $5.2 billion.
Now that the deal has been closed for several months, TSNN sat down with McCurdy to talk through what’s next and some overall exhibition market trends.
The Informa/UBM deal was completed in June, and McCurdy said there was an accelerated plan put in place immediately to integrate the two… more
Jan 24, 2019
The year started off with a flurry of new hires, making for a busy and exciting January. Here are all the industry professionals who have been making some big career moves recently.
Ed Nichols is now vice president of events for Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hannover, Germany’s Deutsche Messe – one of the world’s largest and most active organizers of capital goods trade fairs. He will manage the commercial vehicle show portfolio, which currently includes the North American Commercial Vehicle Show. Previously, Nichols was vice president of events for Endeavour Business Media.… more
Jan 14, 2019
Karen Kotowski, who has led the Events Industry Council (EIC) for the past 10 years, has tendered her resignation as CEO.
With this change in leadership, EIC has initiated a search to identify a new CEO.
During her tenure, Karen Kotowski oversaw the growth of EIC’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and the completion of three studies on the Economic Significance of Meetings in the U.S.
In addition, she led the first-ever Global Economic Significance Study -- research that has provided indisputable proof of the economic impact of our industry and a platform for articulating the… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.